ok time to be serious...

[SmallTown]

I'm somewhat in the same boat... I actually like what I do, but i've done the same type of thing (either as a job or hobby) for about 16 or so years. So I've been looking at different options as well... Thought about the MBA... Thought about a masters in CS (though this would leave me in the same field, just with a bigger check).But one thing that has really gotten my attention, and would allow me to somewhat stay in my field if I desire yet in a completely different direction, is a program in Human Factors and Applied Cognition. also known in some school as Human Factors Engineering.
George Mason has an interesting program.
http://www.hfac.gmu.edu/programs/

Being a Psychology tract, I've been thinking about going and getting a second undergraduate degree in psychology to have a better background for the field... (And maybe try and figure out why the heck people on here do the things they do!)

And since DC is a hotbed for this kind of research, finding employment shouldn't be too difficult.

 

[Vince]

Originally posted by pixiegirl
You know I might make a good realetor. The only one's I've ever personally met only do it part time. Do people do it full time and make a decent living. How much school is involved?

Forget realestate. You have to spend 90% of your time out of the house and with a little one to take care of you can't. Accouting you can run out of your home and they are in demand.

 

[SmallTown]

Originally posted by Vince
Forget realestate. You have to spend 90% of your time out of the house and with a little one to take care of you can't. Accouting you can run out of your home and they are in demand.

several realtors I know work from their home and aren't out on the road all the time. With real estate, you can make as much or as little money as you want, depending on how much effort you put into it.

 

[crabcake]

Originally posted by SmallTown
With real estate, you can make as much or as little money as you want, depending on the economy, location, interest rates, etc.

you can work your tail off ... but ultimately, your paycheck will be determined by someone else's wants/needs.

living on commission only would scare the hell out of me, as a single parent.

 

[T.Rally]

Originally posted by SmallTown
several realtors I know work from their home and aren't out on the road all the time. With real estate, you can make as much or as little money as you want, depending on how much effort you put into it.

In the beginning, it is serious work with very little pay off. Once an agent establishes a name, I imagine it gets easier. How long does that take? Years.

 

[SmallTown]

Originally posted by crabcake


you can work your tail off ... but ultimately, your paycheck will be determined by someone else's wants/needs.

living on commission only would scare the hell out of me, as a single parent.

For the most part, there is always a need for housing. Even during down markets, it isn't uncommon for agents to make 6 figures easy.

But really, EVERYTHING we do for work is based on other people wants/needs... So that shouldn't keep one away from real estate.

My biggest reason for not going into the business is the different work hours. You might put in a 40 hour week, but that might include some nights and weekends which kinda sucks.

 

[Erin]

Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by T.Rally
Forget management and do accounting if you can handle it. With an accounting degree you are as eligible for any job a management degree holder is. Not vice versa.

Business management is the degree people who can't hack the accounting curriculum fall into.

IMO I would not go for accounting, you'd pigeon hole yourself. I got a BSBM degree and work with financials - which I enjoy - but I have other options if I want out of it. Accounting wouldn't offer as much variety. A BM (ha, ha) degree would cover a lot of positions in different contracts as well. I took an accounting course at the master's level this summer and the teacher skimmed over a lot of the material because everything is computerized anyhow. Whatever route you take - good luck.

 

[T.Rally]

Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by Erin
IMO I would not go for accounting, you'd pigeon hole yourself. I got a BSBM degree and work with financials - which I enjoy - but I have other options if I want out of it. Accounting wouldn't offer as much variety. A BM (ha, ha) degree would cover a lot of positions in different contracts as well. I took an accounting course at the master's level this summer and the teacher skimmed over a lot of the material because everything is computerized anyhow. Whatever route you take - good luck.

The point is with an accounting degree a person is as eligible for any job a managment or finance degree person is, straight out of college. The same can't be said the other way around. If you want to take the easy route, get a degree in management.

 

[Dymphna]

Originally posted by pixiegirl
I guess the advice I'm looking for is what to major in. My choices are limited but I have a few choices. Accounting, Business Management, Criminal Justice, Computer Info Management, Early Childhood Ed, Human Resouce Management and a couple others.

How did you come up with this list? Is it something you found online? I would think Early childhood and criminal justice would require an internship or something hands on. I KNOW you can't get a teaching certificate w/o being a student teacher, so the only thing that degree online would get you is a job in a daycare center, which doesn't pay much.

I'd say Business Management or Computer Info. For a couple reasons. All businesses need managing, you can go into any field imaginable with that, also, most need computer managers too, unless they are small and then they can't pay much anyway. PLUS, many companies who pay for education limit you to a field they can use, Criminal Justice, and Early childhood would probably be out, although the rest are probably ok.

 

[Erin]

Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by T.Rally
The point is with an accounting degree a person is as eligible for any job a managment or finance degree person is, straight out of college. The same can't be said the other way around. If you want to take the easy route, get a degree in management.

What? I know people with accounting degrees and they are not in management. Straight out of school with no experience and start in a management slot - wishful thinking. A finance degree is just as versatile as an accounting degree.

 

[T.Rally]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by Erin
A finance degree is just as versatile as an accounting degree.

What professional certification can you get with a finance degree that holds as much weight and reputation as the CPA? Management and finance are where the wash out accountants end up because it an easier curriculum.

 

[SmallTown]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by T.Rally
Management and finance are where the wash out accountants end up because it an easier curriculum.

Must depend on where you go I suppose.
I personally have never known an accounting major, especially a recent grad, moving right into the management ranks.

Now, nothing wrong with accounting degrees. But you have many more options with a business management or finance degree. In the companies I have worked for, the accounting majors got to do all the day-to-day accounting work, while being managed by finance or BM people.

 

[SmallTown]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by T.Rally
What professional certification can you get with a finance degree that holds as much weight and reputation as the CPA? Management and finance are where the wash out accountants end up because it an easier curriculum.

And when in the management ranks, certs don't mean squat.

 

[T.Rally]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by SmallTown
And when in the management ranks, certs don't mean squat.

What does that mean?

 

[T.Rally]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by SmallTown
Must depend on where you go I suppose.
I personally have never known an accounting major, especially a recent grad, moving right into the management ranks.

Now, nothing wrong with accounting degrees. But you have many more options with a business management or finance degree. In the companies I have worked for, the accounting majors got to do all the day-to-day accounting work, while being managed by finance or BM people.

1. Accountants don't take management postitions right out of college because accounting jobs are better paying.

2. Your second point is a joke, yes I'm calling you a liar.

 

[SmallTown]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by T.Rally
1. Accountants don't take management postitions right out of college because accounting jobs are better paying.

2. Your second point is a joke, yes I'm calling you a liar.

You can call me anything you want, doesn't take away from the truth.

And accounting jobs are not better paying in general. But again it depends on what exactly you are doing with your degree.

 

[SmallTown]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by T.Rally
What does that mean?

it means that for managers, people care about results and leadership. You can have all the certs in the world, but if you can't do the job, you won't succeed. Simple as that.

 

[JabbaJawz]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by SmallTown
iYou can have all the certs in the world, but if you can't do the job, you won't succeed.

You forgot to say that this statement doesn't apply to Government jobs!

 

[SmallTown]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by PFgal
You forgot to say that this statement doesn't apply to Government jobs!

The gov't is a completely different entity!

 

[T.Rally]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: ok time to be serious...

Originally posted by SmallTown
And accounting jobs are not better paying in general. But again it depends on what exactly you are doing with your degree.

From an entry level postion standpoint, you can't prove that.
You can also not provide me an entry level management position that an entry level accountant would not be qualified for.
Hate to burst all the managment and finance people's bubbles but accounting is the upper echelon of the business degrees.